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UNLV Newsmakers 2020: Politics

A collection of stories highlighting UNLV experts and their analysis of all things politics in 2020.

(Josh Hawkins/UNLV Photo Services)

 

At the start of 2020, it seemed that the race for the presidency would be the No. 1 news item of the year. 

From the impeachment hearings in January to the caucuses in February, politics was front and center. Then the pandemic hit.

Up to that point, UNLV political scientists were weighing in on the slate of Democratic presidential candidates, and potential outcomes in primary races across the country. For a little while, though, politics seemed to drop off the radar. That is until a Democratic nominee was chosen, and the contest between Joe Biden and Donald Trump heated up.

Amid the confusion and worry of 2020, UNLV experts parsed through all of the partisan back and forth to provide practical guidance on all things politics including the dilemma of mail-in ballots, who won and who lost the presidential debates, and the perils of virtual political discussion among social media friends. Despite the unpredictable series of events throughout 2020, UNLV experts effectively offered their expertise to the nation in the world of politics, forecasting what may lie ahead for the country as a whole.

Presidential Election

The pandemic raged on, and with it arose another sweeping change that affects the nation for years to come – the presidential election. As President Donald Trump’s first term in office was drawing to a close, the emergence of new political figures and global crises left the country stirring with questions about the election. How do mail-in ballots work? What is the significance of Nevada being a swing state? Who “won” the two presidential debates? University experts were readily available to answer these questions and more. 

Candidate Coverage

Nevada Caucus

  • Political science professor David Fott on PBS Newshour. 
  • Professor of political science Rebecca Gill discusses Nevada’s preparations for the caucus on CNBC and The Christian Science Monitor.
  • History professor Michael Green discusses the candidates and state’s response to the upcoming caucuses on KSNV-TV: News 3 and Courthouse News Service. He also discusses how Nevada could reshape the presidential race with the Los Angeles Times and candidate Pete Buttigieg with Leafly.
  • Political scientist Dan Lee discusses voter’s influence on the Nevada caucus, as well as the ongoing impact of the presidential parties: The New York Times, NPR (twice), NBC, Las Vegas Sun, VOA, KNPR 
  • Political science chair David Damore covers the importance of the Nevada caucus, as well as the influence of unions: 
  • Brookings Mountain West and Lincy Institute executive director Robert E. Lang analyzes the presidential parties and their influence amid the Nevada caucus: Las Vegas Sun, Al Jazeera, The Globe and Mail, Business Insider
  • Political science professor Kenneth Miller reviews how Nevada’s caucus was seen as successful, as well as the state’s preventative measures to avert another Iowa caucus crisis:
  • Political science professors Dan Lee & Kenneth Miller reviewed presidential candidates’ plans after the Nevada caucus on Las Vegas Sun.
  • UNLV experts David Damore, Robert Lang, and William E. Brown Jr. discuss the importance of Nevada in electing a president: Brookings

Debate Analysis

Mail-In Ballots, Unions & Voter Influence 

Swing States, Recounting & Voter Fraud

Justice Elect & Supreme Court

As Joe Biden and Donald Trump entered the final stretch of the presidential race, the spotlight turned to another American figure: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ginsburg, associate justice of the Supreme Court whose judicial actions revolutionized civil rights over the years, suddenly passed away. As the nation mourned its loss, a new name for the seat quickly surfaced – Amy Coney Barrett. The sudden turn of events left the nation wondering about the legalities of a quickened confirmation and with myriad questions about the nominee.

  • Student researcher Kristian Thymianos reflects on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s leadership in the Las Vegas Sun.
  • Law professor Kathryn M. Stanchi explains Ginsburg’s legacy in The Atlantic.
  • UNLV Immigration clinic director Michael Kagan examines Barrett’s legal stance on immigration cases in The Intercept.

Economy

In every election, the nation’s economy becomes a key subject. But in 2020, there was an even greater focus on the economy as the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic became an everyday worry for  Americans. As the federal government grappled with sending stimulus checks to struggling families, local leaders were tasked with the decision to close businesses. Throughout the year, UNLV experts covered the consequences of local and national shutdowns, highlighting the forecasts ahead for businesses in Las Vegas and beyond.

Politics & Relationships

COVID-19 fatigue, quarantine fatigue, election fatigue – just the simple feeling of “I’m over it” became the defining feeling of 2020. So how do cooped up Americans react when they find out that their partner, friends, or family members have differing political views?  Throughout the election, university experts tapped into the new social “media” distancing frontier, offering advice and support on how to better relationships.

General Expert Roundup

  • Law professor Francine J. Lipman examines Donald Trump’s decade-long tax audit on MarketWatch.
  • History professor Michael Green explains on KSNV-TV: News 3 that the president cannot override governors.
  • Brookings Mountain West and Lincy Institute executive director Robert E. Lang examined Nevada’s population in the New York Times and confirmed on KTNV-TV: ABC 13 the limitations of the president’s power in withholding funding from the state of Nevada.
  • Political science professor Austin Wang explains to Vox the reasons behind the positive ratings of Taiwan’s female leader during the COVID-19 pandemic and examines why Taiwan continues to fear a Chinese invasion in The National Interest. 
  • Political science professor David Fott goes in-depth on the significance of celebrating Constitution Day in  The Nevada Independent.
  • UNLV political scientist Dan Lee discusses the significance of Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District: Jewish Insider
  • Professor of political science Rebecca Gill offers tips on how to become an informed voter for judicial races and the youth vote: 

Topics:

newsmakers

Campus Units:

Lee Business School,  Department of Communication Studies,  Molasky Family Department of Economics and Real Estate,  Department of History,  Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies,  William S. Boyd School of Law,  College of Liberal Arts,  Department of Political Science,  Greenspun College of Urban Affairs,  Brookings Mountain West,  Center for Business and Economic Research,  The Lincy Institute,  Women's Research Institute of Nevada

Related News:

UNLV Newsmakers 2020: People, UNLV Newsmakers 2020: Combatting COVID-19, UNLV Newsmakers 2020: Brian Labus Edition, UNLV Newsmakers 2020: Social Justice, UNLV Newsmakers 2020: Research and Economic Development

Related Experts:

Stephen Bates ,  Stephen D. Benning ,  David Damore ,  Lisa Durette ,  David Fott ,  Rebecca Gill ,  Michael Green ,  Tiffiany Howard ,  Michael Kagan ,  Francine J. Lipman ,  Bradley Marianno ,  Kenneth Miller ,  Stephen Miller ,  David Orentlicher ,  Bill Robinson ,  John P. Tuman ,  Austin Horng-En Wang

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